Meet MTV’s ‘The Challenge: Champs Vs. Pros’ Full Cast [PHOTOS]

MTV is pitting their best “The Challenge” contestants up against real-life athletes in the newest installment of their hit competition series, “The Challenge: Champs Vs. Pros.” While the champs on the show are familiar to MTV viewers, fans are likely not as acquainted with the professionals who have joined the cast for the six-week series.

“Challenge” viewers watched during the premiere on Tuesday as longtime veterans such as Johnny Bananas, Chris “CT” Tamburello, Cara Maria Sorbello and recent “Invasion of the Champions” winner Ashley Mitchell joined the ranks of real-world athletes. At the end of the installment, a women’s elimination, announced by host Victor Cruz, sent vet Veronica Portillo and pro Candice Wiggins, a retired WNBA star, packing.

Ultimately, the final two winners will go home with $50,000 to donate to the favorite charity of their choosing. Before episode 2 of the miniseries airs Tuesday on MTV, get to know the full cast of “Champs Vs. Pros.”

Tia Blanco

She was just 19 during filming but there is no doubt she’s a force to be reckoned with. Tia is a professional surfer and has won the 2014 under 18 National Scholastic Surfing Association, Southwest Women’s and Surfing Prime America Women’s competitions. She is also a member of the USA Surfing Team.

Charity of choice: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

Lolo Jones

If you caught the first episode of “Champs Vs. Pros” then you know Lolo does not taking losing lightly. The Olympic hurdler and bobsledder takes competition to heart, especially when charity is involved. Lolo competed at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games and 2012 London Summer Olympic Games as a hurdler. In 2014, she competed with the U.S. Bobsled team at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Charity of Choice: Hurdles of Hope

Lindsey Jacobellis

When she’s not starring on MTV, Lindsey works as a professional Snowboarder. Her resume includes three visits to the Olympics. Her first visit to the X Games happened when she was just 15 years old and two years later, she earned a spot on the U.S. snowboarding team. She’s also the female record holder for the Gold Medals won at the Winter X Games.

Charity of choice: ASPCA

Louise Hazel

The Olympic fitness model appears to enjoy the drama “The Challenge” brings. After all, she is not unfamiliar to the world of TV. Her former roles on other celebrity competition shows include “The Jump” and “Ninja Warrior UK.” After playing a hand in the premiere episode’s elimination pick, Louise will likely continue on to show off her strengths as an athlete in episode 2. Outside of TV her resume includes a Gold Medal win in the Heptathlon in 2010. She also represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Charity of Choice: Save the Children

Louie Vito

Like Lindsey, Louie is also a professional Snowboarder and Olympic athlete. MTV states in his bio that he was member of the U.S. Olympic team in 2010. His honors include six X Games medals, two of which are gold. He has been competing professionally since 17 years of age. His prior TV appearance included Season 9 of “Dancing With the Stars” on ABC.

Charity of choice: Wings for Life

Shawne Merriman

The retired NFL linebacker is bound to bring the his “Lights Out” force he used to use on the field to “The Challenge.” He is a former first-round draft pick and a three-time Pro-Bowl and All-Pro linebacker. Now retired, Merriman uses his free time to give back to his community.

Charity of Choice: Lights On Foundation

CM Punk

The former UFC fighter, whose real name is Phil Brooks, is a two-time WWE champion who now works as an MMA fighter. Like “The Challenge” champs, CM is familiar with working with TV networks. He has served as an analyst for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL Network in the past.

Charity of Choice: PAWS Chicago

Gus Kenworthy

The Olympic skier has already found himself in hot water on “The Challenge.” Let’s hope he can pull through after this week’s drama. Gus is best known for submitting footage of himself skiing, which became viral and resulted in his professional career. He went on to represent the U.S. in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

Charity of Choice: The Trevor Project/The Happy Hippie Foundation

Kamerion Wimbley

The retired NFL star is described as being “hard-hitting on the field yet kind and warm-hearted off the field.” Let’s hope his big heart doesn’t get in his way when it comes to dealing with “The Challenge” politics. Wimbley was a 13th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He retired in 2015 after several seasons with the NFL. He know works for his company KW Growth Holdings.

Charity of Choice: The Kamerion Wimbley Foundation

“The Challenge: Champs Vs. Pros” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on MTV.